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NJ Air Quality Alert: Wildfire Smoke Returns
16 Jul
Summary
- New Jersey faces unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke.
- Air pollution levels are not expected to be as hazardous as in 2023.
- Red alert levels, unhealthy for the general public, are forecast.
New Jersey is bracing for a significant drop in air quality on July 16, 2026, as smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires drifts into the region. Air quality is forecast to reach index highs between 170 and 200, a red alert level considered unhealthy for the general public.
The northeastern, north central, and Delaware Water Gap areas of the state are expected to experience the highest pollution concentrations. These levels represent some of the worst seen since the summer of 2023. However, authorities note that the current fires are not as extensive as those that caused historic air quality issues three years ago.
In June 2023, air pollution in New Jersey soared above 300 on the air quality index, a hazardous level not seen in decades. That event caused widespread outdoor activity cancellations and prompted advisories for residents to stay indoors and wear masks when outside. While the current situation warrants caution, it is not expected to reach the extreme severity of that past event.
